Motion Data Based Consumer Interfaces

ABSTRACT

Systems, apparatus, methods, and non-transitory media for consumer interfaces that are responsive to motion data are discussed herein. Some embodiments may include a system with one or more servers. The one or more servers may be configured to generate a consumer interface including a representation of an object that is responsive to the motion data generated by a motion sensor of a consumer device. The consumer interface may be provided to the consumer device to create the motion data and determine a motion data score. The motion data score may be used to determine promotion data parameters that define the terms of offered promotions. Promotion data parameters may be determined based on motion data performance in combination with consumer account data for programmatic relevance determination. Furthermore, the motion data received from the consumer device may be used to determine consumer account data or profile data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/933,562, titled “Motion Data Based Consumer Interfaces,” filed Jul.20, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/980,678, titled “Motion Data Based Consumer Interfaces,” filed Dec.28, 2015 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,762,534), which claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Application No. 62/097,536, titled “Motion Data BasedConsumer Interfaces,” filed Dec. 29, 2014, each of which is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments of the invention relate, generally, to techniques forproviding real-time electronic data based on mobile consumer devicemotion.

BACKGROUND

Promotional systems provide promotional data and other merchantinformation to consumer devices. The functionality and interface designsused to present such offers can affect the frequency and quality ofconsumer interaction with the promotional system. Mobile devices aretypically designed to facilitate mobility, which both limits and informsthe types of hardware that may be used. For example, mobile devices suchas smartphones may include small, touch screen displays for presentinginformation and receiving user inputs. Furthermore, they may includemotion sensors which capture the movements (e.g., changes in position,orientation, etc.) of the mobile device. As such, interfacemanipulations and other functionalities that are suitable for stationarydesktop devices may be unsuitable for mobile devices, and/or fail toleverage available mobile device inputs to optimize the interfacefunctionalities (e.g., reduced number of consumer inputs required forcomplex interactions/data manipulations). In this regard, areas forimproving current techniques have been identified. Through appliedeffort, ingenuity, and innovation, solutions to improve such systemshave been identified and are described in detail below.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Some embodiments may provide for a system configured to provide improvedconsumer interfaces to consumer devices that are responsive to motiondata generated by the consumer devices. The system may include one ormore servers with communication circuitry configured to connect withconsumer devices and merchant devices via a network. The one or moreservers may further include processing circuitry configured to: generatea consumer interface including a representation of an object that isresponsive to the motion data generated by a motion sensor of a consumerdevice; provide the consumer interface to the consumer device via thenetwork; determine a motion data objective; receive the motion data fromthe consumer device via the network; determine a motion data score basedon the motion data, wherein the motion data score indicates a level ofcompletion of the motion data objective by the motion data; determine apromotion data parameter of a promotion based on the motion data scoreand consumer account data associated with the consumer device, whereinthe consumer account data is accessed from a consumer database andassociated with the consumer device based on the consumer deviceproviding login data to the central system via the network; and providean electronic marketing communication of the promotion to the consumerdevice via the network.

In some embodiments, the motion sensor may include one or more of asix-axis gyroscope accelerometer or a three axis gyroscope. The motiondata may indicate a rotational motion of the consumer device. The objectthat is responsive to the motion data generated by the motion sensor maymove within the consumer interface based on the rotational motion of theconsumer device.

In some embodiments, the motion data objective may include moving theobject toward a goal represented in the consumer interface. The motiondata score may indicate a distance of the object from the goal.

In some embodiments, the motion data objective may include moving theobject to one of a plurality of selection options represented in theconsumer interface. The motion data score may indicate whether theobject has been moved one of the plurality of selection options.

In some embodiments, the motion sensor may include one or more of: asix-axis gyroscope accelerometer; or a three axis accelerometer. Themotion data may indicate a directional motion of the consumer device.The object that is responsive to the motion data generated by the motionsensor moves within the consumer interface based on the directionalmotion of the consumer device.

In some embodiments, the motion data objective may include moving theobject to one of a plurality of selection options represented in theconsumer interface. The motion data score may indicate whether theobject has been moved one of the plurality of selection options.

In some embodiments, the motion data objective may include moving theobject one or more locations represented in a map display of theconsumer interface. The motion data score indicates whether the objecthas been moved to the one or more locations.

In some embodiments, the motion sensor may include a six-axis gyroscopeaccelerometer. The motion data may indicate a directional motion and arotational motion of the consumer device. The object that may beresponsive to the motion data generated by the motion sensor moveswithin the consumer interface based on the directional motion and therotational motion of the consumer device.

In some embodiments, the processing circuitry may be further configuredto: determine a motion data score threshold that must be satisfied tocomplete the motion data objective; determine whether the motion datascore satisfies the motion data objective; and subsequent to determiningthat the motion data score satisfies the motion data objective, providethe electronic marketing communication of the promotion to the consumerdevice via the network.

In some embodiments, the processing circuitry may be further configuredto: determine second consumer account data based on the motion data; anddetermine a second promotion data parameter associated with a secondpromotion based on the second consumer account data.

In some embodiments, the promotion data parameter may define one or moreof: an item associated with the promotion; an accepted value of thepromotion; or a promotional value of the promotion.

Some embodiments may provide for a machine-implemented method,including: generating, by processing circuitry of one or more serversconfigured to connect with consumer devices via a network, a consumerinterface including a representation of an object that is responsive tothe motion data generated by a motion sensor of a consumer device;providing, by the processing circuitry and via the network, the consumerinterface to the consumer device; determining, by the processingcircuitry, a motion data objective; receiving, by the processingcircuitry and via the network, the motion data from the consumer device;determining, by the processing circuitry, a motion data score based onthe motion data, wherein the motion data score indicates a level ofcompletion of the motion data objective by the motion data; determining,by the processing circuitry, a promotion data parameter of a promotionbased on the motion data score and consumer account data associated withthe consumer device, wherein the consumer account data is accessed froma consumer database and associated with the consumer device based on theconsumer device providing login data to the central system via thenetwork; and providing, by the processing circuitry, an electronicmarketing communication of the promotion to the consumer device via thenetwork.

In some embodiments, the motion sensor may include one or more of: asix-axis gyroscope accelerometer; or a three axis gyroscope. The motiondata may indicate a rotational motion of the consumer device. The objectthat is responsive to the motion data generated by the motion sensor maymove within the consumer interface based on the rotational motion of theconsumer device.

In some embodiments, the motion data objective may include moving theobject toward a goal represented in the consumer interface. The motiondata score may indicate a distance of the object from the goal.

In some embodiments, the motion data objective may include moving theobject to one of a plurality of selection options represented in theconsumer interface. The motion data score may indicate whether theobject has been moved one of the plurality of selection options.

In some embodiments, the motion sensor may include one or more of: asix-axis gyroscope accelerometer; or a three axis accelerometer. Themotion data may indicate a directional motion of the consumer device.The object that is responsive to the motion data generated by the motionsensor may move within the consumer interface based on the directionalmotion of the consumer device.

In some embodiments, the motion data objective may include moving theobject to one of a plurality of selection options represented in theconsumer interface. The motion data score may indicate whether theobject has been moved one of the plurality of selection options.

In some embodiments, the motion data objective may include moving theobject one or more locations represented in a map display of theconsumer interface. The motion data score may indicate whether theobject has been moved to the one or more locations.

In some embodiments, the motion sensor may include a six-axis gyroscopeaccelerometer. The motion data may indicate a directional motion and arotational motion of the consumer device. The object that is responsiveto the motion data generated by the motion sensor may move within theconsumer interface based on the directional motion and the rotationalmotion of the consumer device.

In some embodiments, the method may further include, by the processingcircuitry: determining a motion data score threshold that must besatisfied to complete the motion data objective; determining whether themotion data score satisfies the motion data objective; and subsequent todetermining that the motion data score satisfies the motion dataobjective, providing the electronic marketing communication of thepromotion to the consumer device via the network.

In some embodiments, the method may further include, by the processingcircuitry: determining second consumer account data based on the motiondata; and determining a second promotion data parameter associated witha second promotion based on the second consumer account data.

In some embodiments, the promotion data parameter may define one or moreof: an item associated with the promotion; an accepted value of thepromotion; or a promotional value of the promotion.

Some embodiments may provide for a consumer device. The consumer devicemay include: communication circuitry configured to connect with acentral system via a network; a motion sensor configured to generatemotion data indicating motion of the consumer device; a display device;and processing circuitry configured to: generate a consumer interfaceincluding a representation of an object that is responsive to the motiondata generated by the accelerometer; provide the graphical userinterface to the display device; determine a motion data objective;receive the motion data from the motion sensor; manipulate the objectwithin the graphical user interface based on the motion data; determinea motion data score based on the motion data, wherein the motion datascore indicates a level of completion of the motion data objective bythe motion data; provide, via the network, the motion data score to acentral system; and subsequent to providing the motion data score to thecentral system, receive an impression of a promotion from the centralsystem, the promotion defined by a promotion data parameter determinedbased on the motion data score and consumer account data associated withthe consumer device, wherein the consumer account data is accessed froma consumer database and associated with the consumer device based on theconsumer device providing login data to the central system via thenetwork.

Some embodiments may include circuitry and/or media configured toimplement the methods and/or other functionality discussed herein. Forexample, one or more processors, and/or other machine components may beconfigured to implement the functionality discussed herein based oninstructions and/or other data stored in memory and/or othernon-transitory computer readable media.

These characteristics as well as additional features, functions, anddetails of various embodiments are described below. Similarly,corresponding and additional embodiments are also described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described some embodiments in general terms, reference willnow be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarilydrawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an example of a system configured in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of example circuitry of apromotion and marketing service configured in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 3 depicts an example data flow illustrating interactions between aserver, one or more consumer devices, and one or more merchant devicesin accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of example circuitry of aconsumer device configured in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic block diagram of example circuitry of amerchant device configured in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of an example of a method of determiningpromotion data parameters based on motion data performed in accordancewith some embodiments; and

FIGS. 7-11 show example consumer interfaces in accordance with someembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not allembodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legalrequirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Overview

Some embodiments may provide for a system configured to facilitateimproved mobile consumer device interactions. For example, the computingsystem may include one or more servers (e.g., of a central system) thatare connected with merchant devices and consumer devices via a network(e.g., the Internet). The one or more servers and/or consumer device maybe configured to provide a consumer interface. The consumer interfacemay provide for a novel game-based electronic marketing informationcommunication channel through which promotion data can be provided toconsumer devices. The consumer interface may include a representation ofan object that is responsive to motion data (or other consumer deviceinputs) generated by the consumer device. In some embodiments, theconsumer interface may take the form of a mobile application game,browser game, or other electronic game, with the displayed object beingresponsive to the motion data toward completion of a game objective. Thegame mechanics may be designed to be fun, challenging, rewarding,engaging and/or otherwise interesting to consumers to improve consumerparticipation with the electronic marketing communications.

In some embodiments, the consumer may be rewarded based the generatedmotion data relative to a goal or motion data objective. In an exampleof a lever tilting game, a consumer may be asked to move a lever from astart position to a goal position based on tilting the consumer device.In an example of a finders keepers game, a consumer may be required tomove an avatar (e.g., a ball or other object) displayed on a virtualsurface of the consumer interface from a start location to variousobjects by tilting the consumer device. In yet another example of aquestion-based game, the consumer may be allowed to select fromdisplayed options or answer a displayed question (e.g., via selection ofyes or no answer) by tilting or moving the consumer device. In yetanother example of a scavenger hunt game, the consumer may be allowed tomove a virtual representation of the consumer device to variouslocations based on the actual movement of the consumer device. Asdiscussed in greater detail below, promotion data parameters such as theunderlying item or associated discount may be determined based on motiondata performance.

The promotion data parameters may be further determined based onconsumer account data. The various games discussed herein may be furtherdesigned such that the received motion data inputs may be indicative ofconsumer account data indicating consumer interests, preferences, groupmembership, age, gender, etc. In that sense, the consumer interfacesdiscussed herein can engage consumers to facilitate the sharing ofconsumer information. Furthermore, game outcomes can be tied topromotional rewards to encourage information sharing and/or promotionpurchases.

Definitions

As used herein, the terms “data,” “content,” “information,” and similarterms may be used interchangeably to refer to data capable of beingtransmitted, received, and/or stored in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention. Thus, use of any such terms should not be takento limit the spirit and scope of embodiments of the present invention.Further, where a computing device is described herein to receive datafrom another computing device, it will be appreciated that the data maybe received directly from the another computing device or may bereceived indirectly via one or more intermediary computing devices, suchas, for example, one or more servers, relays, routers, network accesspoints, base stations, hosts, and/or the like, sometimes referred toherein as a “network.” Similarly, where a computing device is describedherein to send data to another computing device, it will be appreciatedthat the data may be sent directly to the another computing device ormay be sent indirectly via one or more intermediary computing devices,such as, for example, one or more servers, relays, routers, networkaccess points, base stations, hosts, and/or the like.

As used herein, the term “promotion and marketing service” or “PMservice” may include a service that is accessible via one or morecomputing devices and that is operable to provide promotion and/ormarketing services on behalf of one or more providers that are offeringone or more instruments that are redeemable for goods, services,experiences and/or the like. In some examples, the promotion andmarketing service may take the form of a redemption authority, a paymentprocessor, a rewards provider, an entity in a financial network, apromoter, an agent and/or the like. As such, the PM service is, in someexample embodiments, configured to present one or more promotions viaone or more impressions, accept payments for promotions from consumers,issue instruments upon acceptance of an offer, participate inredemption, generate rewards, provide a point of sale device or service,issue payments to providers and/or or otherwise participate in theexchange of goods, services or experiences for currency, value and/orthe like.

In some embodiments, the PM service may be further configured to presentone or more promotions via one or more impressions, provide consumerinterfaces to consumer devices configured to accept payments forpromotions from consumers, issue instruments upon acceptance of anoffer, participate in redemption, generate rewards, providepoint-of-sale functionality (e.g., to a merchant device), issue paymentsto providers and/or or otherwise participate in the exchange of goods,services or experiences for currency, value and/or the like. A consumerinterface may include an electronic user interface that can be providedto one or more computing devices (e.g., mobile consumer devices) andthat is operable to provide an electronic, interactive electronic userinterface to the consumer devices. The PM service may be connected withmerchant devices and consumer devices via a network (e.g., theInternet). In some embodiments, the consumer interface may be configuredto receive motion data consumer device inputs (e.g., from anaccelerometer, gyroscope, and/or other motion sensor) that may be usedto determine consumer completion of a motion data objective. Based atleast in part on consumer performance via the consumer device inputs,the PM service may determine consumer account eligibility for promotionsand/or promotion parameters. Furthermore, the PM service may gatherelectronic marketing information based on the consumer device inputs andmay use the gathered information to build consumer profiles, determineconsumer preferences, and/or promotion parameters (e.g., in addition oralternative to using consumer performance towards a motion dataobjective, which may take the form of a graphical user interface game orchallenge presented on the consumer interface.

The PM service may also, in some example embodiments, be configured tooffer merchant services such as promotion building (e.g., assistingmerchants with selecting promotion data parameters for newly createdpromotions), promotion counseling (e.g., offering information tomerchants to assist with using promotions as marketing), promotionanalytics (e.g., offering information to merchants to provide data andanalysis regarding the costs and return-on-investment associated withoffering promotions), and the like.

As used herein, the term “motion data” refers to data indicative ofmovement of a device over time. Motion data may include data generatedby a motion sensor of the consumer device, such as an accelerometerand/or gyroscope. For example, a consumer device may include one or moreof a six-axis gyroscope accelerometer, a three axis accelerometer, agyroscope, etc. In some embodiments, motion data may include locationdata indicating a location of the consumer device. The location data maybe programmatically determined based on the motion data from a motionsensor, or in some embodiments, may alternatively or additionallydetermined based on other suitable techniques such as cell-towertriangulation, global positioning systems (GPS), internet protocol (IP)address, communication beacons, WiFi access point identification, nearfield communication, etc.

As used herein, the terms “provider” and “merchant” may be usedinterchangeably and may include, but are not limited to, a businessowner, consigner, shopkeeper, tradesperson, vendor, operator,entrepreneur, agent, dealer, organization or the like that is in thebusiness of a providing a good, service or experience to a consumer,facilitating the provision of a good, service or experience to aconsumer and/or otherwise operating in the stream of commerce. The“provider” or “merchant” need not actually market a product or servicevia the promotion and marketing service, as some merchants or providersmay utilize the PM service only for the purpose of gathering marketinginformation, demographic information, or the like, or receivingpoint-of-sale functionality.

As used herein, the term “consumer” should be understood to refer to arecipient of goods, services, promotions, media, or the like provided bythe PM service and/or a merchant. Consumers may include, withoutlimitation, individuals, groups of individuals, corporations, othermerchants, and the like.

As used herein, the term “promotion” may include, but is not limited to,any type of offered, presented or otherwise indicated reward, discount,coupon, credit, deal, incentive, discount, media or the like that isindicative of a promotional value or the like that upon purchase oracceptance results in the issuance of an instrument that may be usedtoward at least a portion of the purchase of particular goods, servicesand/or experiences defined by the promotion. A promotion may be definedby promotion data parameters, which may take on different values indifferent contexts. For example, a promotion may have a first valueassociated with the cost paid by a consumer, known as an “acceptedvalue.” When redeemed, the promotion may be used to purchase a“promotional value” representing the retail price of the goods. Thepromotion may also have a “residual value,” reflecting the remainingvalue of the promotion after expiration. Although consumers may beprimarily focused on the accepted and promotional value of thepromotion, a promotion may also have additional associated values. Forexample, a “cost value” may represent the cost to the merchant to offerthe promotion via the PM service, where the PM service receives the costvalue for each promotion sold to a consumer. The promotion may alsoinclude a “return on investment” value, representing a quantifiedexpected return on investment to the merchant for each promotion sold.

For example, consider a promotion offered by the PM service for a $50meal promotion for $25 at a particular restaurant. In this example, $25would be the accepted value charged to the consumer. The consumer wouldthen be able to redeem the promotion at the restaurant for $50 appliedtoward their meal check. This $50 would be the promotional value of thepromotion. If the consumer did not use the promotion before expiration,the consumer might be able to obtain a refund of $22.50, representing a10% fee to recoup transaction costs for the merchant and/or PM service.This $22.50 would be the residual value of the promotion. If the PMservice charged the merchant $3.00 to offer the promotion, the $3.00 feewould be the “cost value.” The “return on investment” value of thepromotion might be dynamically calculated by the PM service based on theexpected repeat business generated by the marketing of the promotion,the particular location, the demographics of the consumer, and the like.For example, the return on investment value might be $10.00, reflectingthe long term additional profit expected by the merchant as a result ofbringing in a new customer through use of a promotion.

Promotions may be provided to consumers and redeemed via the use of an“instrument.” Instruments may represent and embody the terms of thepromotion from which the instrument resulted. For example, instrumentsmay include, but are not limited to, any type of physical credential(e.g., magnetic strip cards or printed barcodes), virtual accountbalance (e.g., a promotion being associated with a particular useraccount on a merchant website), secret code (e.g., a character stringthat can be entered on a merchant website or point-of-sale), tender,electronic certificate, medium of exchange, voucher, or the like whichmay be used in a transaction for at least a portion of the purchase,acquisition, procurement, consumption or the like of goods, servicesand/or experiences as defined by the terms of the promotion.

In some examples, the instrument may take the form of tender that has agiven value that is exchangeable for goods, services and/or experiencesand/or a reduction in a purchase price of a particular good, service orexperience. In some examples, the instrument may have multiple values,such as accepted value, a promotional value and/or a residual value. Forexample, using the aforementioned restaurant as the example provider, anelectronic indication in a mobile application that shows $50 of value tobe used as payment for a meal check at the restaurant. In some examples,the accepted value of the instrument is defined by the value exchangedfor the instrument. In some examples, the promotional value is definedby the promotion from which the instrument resulted and is the value ofthe instrument beyond the accepted value. In some examples, the residualvalue is the value after redemption, the value after the expiry or otherviolation of a redemption parameter, the return or exchange value of theinstrument and/or the like.

As used herein, the term “redemption” refers to the use, exchange orother presentation of an instrument for at least a portion of a good,service or experience as defined by the instrument and its relatedpromotion. In some examples, redemption includes the verification ofvalidity of the instrument. In other example embodiments, redemption mayinclude an indication that a particular instrument has been redeemed andthus no longer retains an actual, promotional and/or residual value(e.g., full redemption). In other example embodiments, redemption mayinclude the redemption of at least a portion of its actual, promotionaland/or residual value (e.g., partial redemption). An example ofredemption, using the aforementioned restaurant as the example provider,is the exchange of the $50 instrument and $50 to settle a $100 mealcheck.

As used herein, the term “impression” refers to a metric for measuringhow frequently consumers are provided with marketing information relatedto a particular good, service, or promotion. Impressions may be measuredin various different manners, including, but not limited to, measuringthe frequency with which content is served to a consumer (e.g., thenumber of times images, websites, or the like are requested byconsumers), measuring the frequency with which electronic marketingcommunications including particular content are sent to consumers (e.g.,a number of e-mails sent to consumers or number of e-mails includingparticular promotion content), measuring the frequency with whichelectronic marketing communications are received by consumers (e.g., anumber of times a particular e-mail is read), or the like. Impressionsmay be provided through various forms of media, including but notlimited to communications, displays, or other perceived indications,such as e-mails, text messages, application alerts, mobile applications,other type of electronic interface or distribution channel and/or thelike, of one or more promotions.

As used herein, the term “electronic marketing information” refers tovarious electronic data and signals that may be interpreted by a PMservice to provide improved electronic marketing communications.Electronic marketing information may include, without limitation,clickstream data (defined below), consumer tracking data (definedbelow), location data (defined below), communication channel data(defined below), discretionary data (defined below), real-time consumerdevice signals (defined below) or any other data stored by or receivedby the PM service for use in providing consumer interfaces and/orpoint-of-sale interfaces. In some embodiments, the electronic marketinginformation may further be used to provide electronic communications toconsumers devices (e.g., within the consumer interface).

As used herein, the term “clickstream data” refers to electronicinformation indicating content viewed, accessed, edited, retrieved, orotherwise interacted with by consumers. This information may beelectronically processed and analyzed by a PM service to improve thequality of electronic marketing and commerce transactions offered by,through, and in conjunction with the PM service. It should be understoodthat the term “clickstream” is not intended to be limited to mouseclicks. For example, the clickstream data may include various otherconsumer interactions, including without limitation, touch screeninteractions, voice interactions, mouse-over events and durations, theamount of time spent by the consumer viewing particular content, therate at which impressions of particular content result in salesassociated with that content, demographic information associated witheach particular consumer, data indicating other content accessed by theconsumer (e.g., browser cookie data), the time or date on which contentwas accessed, the frequency of impressions for particular content,associations between particular consumers or consumer demographics andparticular impressions, and/or the like. In some embodiments,clickstream data may further include motion data indicating movement ofa consumer device and used to manipulate an object or other interactiveelement within a consumer interface, such as may be created by a motionsensor included with the consumer device. For example, the consumerinterface may be configured to provide motion data objectives thatfacilitate the creation of clickstream data by consumers.

As used herein, the term “transaction data” refers to electronicinformation indicating that a transaction is occurring or has occurredvia either a consumer device, merchant device, or the PM service.Transaction data may include information relating to the transaction.For example, transaction data may include consumer payment or billinginformation, consumer approval data (e.g., indicating consumer approvalof a payment), consumer shipping information, items purchased by theconsumer, a merchant rewards account number associated with theconsumer, the type of shipping selected by the consumer for fulfillmentof the transaction, or the like. In some embodiments, transaction datamay include electronic data generated by merchant devices via merchantinput to the point-of-sale interface provided by the PM service.

As used herein, the term “location data” refers to motion data thatindicates a particular location. Location data may be associated with aconsumer, a merchant, or any other entity capable of interaction withthe PM service. For example, in some embodiments location data isprovided by a location services circuitry, a location services module ofa consumer mobile device, and/or location sensors (e.g., GPS, operatingsystem location services, WiFi access point identification sensors,etc.) that are configured to generate electronic information or signalsthat are indicative of the context, position, or environment surroundingthe consumer device. In some embodiments, location data may be providedby a merchant device to the PM system indicating the location ofconsumer devices within their retail location. In some embodiments,location data may be provided by merchant devices to indicate thecurrent location of the merchant (e.g., a food truck or deliveryservice). It should be appreciated that location data may be provided byvarious systems capable of determining location information, including,but not limited to, global positioning service receivers, indoornavigation systems, cellular tower triangulation techniques, videosurveillance systems, or radio frequency identification (RFID) locationsystems.

As used herein, the term “communication channel data” refers toelectronic information relating to the particular device orcommunication channel upon which a merchant or consumer communicateswith the PM service. In this regard, communication channel data mayinclude the type of device used by the consumer or merchant (e.g., smartphone, desktop computer, laptop, netbook, tablet computer), the InternetProtocol (IP) address of the device, the available bandwidth of aconnection, login credentials used to access the channel (e.g., a useraccount and/or password for accessing the PM service), or any other datapertaining to the communication channel between the PM service and anentity external to the PM service.

As used herein, the term “discretionary data” refers to electronicinformation provided by a merchant or consumer explicitly to the PMservice in support of improved interaction with the PM service. Uponregistering with the PM service or at any time thereafter, the consumeror merchant may be invited to provide information that aids the PMservice in providing services that are targeted to the particular needsof the consumer or merchant. For example, the discretionary data mayinclude any suitable consumer information that can be used, such asconsumer information related to health (e.g., undesirable ingredientssuch as allergy information, weight, blood pressure, etc.), habitinformation, consumer status, apparel size (e.g., shoe size, clothingsize, etc.), color blindness, visual impairment, auditory impairment,price flexibility or price bands, transaction data (e.g., indicatingpast purchases), and/or environmental data (e.g., preferred weather,temperature, humidity, precipitation, etc.). A merchant may indicate thetype of goods or services provided, their retail storefront location,ingredients or recipes for menu items, menu information, employeeinformation, contact information, hours of operation, or the like.

It should be appreciated that the term “discretionary data” is intendedto refer to information voluntarily and explicitly provided to the PMservice, such as by completing a form or survey on a website orapplication hosted by the PM service. However, it should be appreciatedthat the examples of discretionary data provided above may also bedetermined implicitly or through review or analysis of other electronicmarketing information provided to the PM service, including consumerdevice inputs used to determine clickstream data and promotion dataparameters as discussed in greater detail herein. It should also beappreciated that the PM service may also gate access to certain featuresor tools based on whether certain discretionary data has been provided.For example, the consumer may be required to provide informationrelating to their interests or location during a registration process.

As used herein, the term “real-time consumer device signals” refers toelectronic information generated by sensor circuitry of a consumerdevice. For example, the sensor circuitry may include one or moreenvironmental sensors (e.g., temperature, humidity, etc.), biologicalsensors (e.g., thermometer, heart rate monitor), visual sensors (e.g., afront facing camera configured to capture consumer expressions and/orgestures), and/or motion sensors (e.g., accelerometer, gyroscope, etc).In some embodiments, one or more real-time consumer device signals mayalso be used to interact with a consumer interface, objective, and/ordetermine promotion data parameters.

As used herein, the term “promotion data parameters” or “offeringparameters” refers to data that defines the promotion and/or terms andconditions under which a promotion is offered by a PM service toconsumers. These offering parameters may include parameters, bounds,considerations and/or the like that outline or otherwise define thecharacteristics, terms, timing, constraints, limitations, rules or thelike under which the promotion is sold, offered, marketed, or otherwiseprovided to consumers. Example promotion data parameters may include the“item” (e.g., underlying product or service of the promotion such as aparticular menu item, a type of massage, etc.), the accepted value, thepromotional value, the residual value, etc. Other examples may includeparameters that define a total of 100 instruments to be issued, a runduration of when the promotion will be marketed via the PM service, andparameters for identifying consumers to be offered the promotion (e.g.,factors influencing how consumer locations are used to offer apromotion).

As used herein, the term “redemption parameters” refers to terms andconditions for redeeming or otherwise obtaining the benefit ofpromotions obtained from a PM service. The redemption parameters mayinclude parameters, bounds, considerations and/or the like that outlinethe term, timing, constraints, limitations, rules or the like for howand/or when an instrument may be redeemed. For example, the redemptionparameters may include an indication that the instrument must beredeemed prior to a specified deadline, for a specific good, service orexperience and/or the like. For example, using the aforementionedrestaurant as the example provider, the redemption parameters mayspecify a limit of one instrument per visit, that the promotion must beused in store only, or that the promotion must be used by a certaindate.

As used herein, the term “promotion content” refers to display factorsor features that influence how the promotion is displayed to consumers.For example, promotion content may include an image associated with thepromotion, a narrative description of the promotion or the merchant, adisplay template for association with the promotion, or the like. Forexample, merchant data indicators (defined below) may be used toidentify promotion offers that were generated by merchants with similarcharacteristics to the merchant data indicators. Various other factorsmay be used to generate the promotion offer, such as the success of thepromotion offers generated by the merchants with similarcharacteristics, the product availability of the merchant, and the like.

As used herein, the term “promotion component” is used to refer toelements of a particular promotion that may be selected during apromotion generation process. Promotion components may include anyaspect of a promotion, including but not necessarily limited topromotion data parameters, offering parameters, redemption parameters,and promotion content. For example, promotion components may include,but are not limited to, promotion titles, promotion ledes (e.g., a shorttext phrase displayed under a promotion title), promotion images,promotion prices, promotion discount levels, promotion style sheets,promotion fonts, promotion e-mail subjects, promotion quantities,promotion fine print options, promotion fees assessed to the merchant bythe PM service, or the like. Promotion components may also includevarious flags and settings associated with registration and verificationfunctions for a merchant offering the promotion, such as whether theidentity of the merchant has been verified, whether the merchant isregistered with the PM service, or the like.

As used herein, the term “electronic marketing communication” refers toany electronically generated information content provided by the PMservice to a consumer device for the purpose of marketing a promotion,good, or service to the consumer. Electronic marketing communicationsmay include any email, short message service (SMS) message, web page,application interface, or the like electronically generated for thepurpose of attempting to sell or raise awareness of a product, service,promotion, or merchant to the consumer. In some embodiments, theelectronic marketing communication may take the forum of an electricalgraphical consumer interface as discussed in greater detail herein.

It should be appreciated that the term “electronic marketingcommunication” implies and requires some portion of the content of thecommunication to be generated via an electronic process. For example, atelephone call made from an employee of the PM service to a consumer forthe purpose of selling a product or service would not qualify as anelectronic marketing communication, even if the identity of the callrecipient was selected by an electronic process and the call was dialedelectronically, as the content of the telephone call is not generated inan electronic manner. However, a so-called “robo-call” with contentprogrammatically selected, generated, or recorded via an electronicprocess and initiated by an electronic system to notify a consumer of aparticular product, service, or promotion would qualify as an electronicmarketing communication. Similarly, a manually drafted e-mail sent froman employee of the PM service to a consumer for the purpose of marketinga product would not qualify as an electronic marketing communication.However, a programmatically generated email including marketingmaterials programmatically selected based on electronic marketinginformation associated with the recipient would qualify as an electronicmarketing communication.

As used herein, the term “business analytic data” refers to datagenerated by the PM service based on electronic marketing information toassist with the operation of the PM service and/or one or more merchantsystems. The various streams of electronic marketing informationprovided to and by the PM service allow for the use of sophisticateddata analysis techniques that may be employed to identify correlations,relationships, and other associations among elements of electronicmarketing information. These associations may be processed and formattedby the PM service to provide reports, recommendations, and services bothinternal to the PM service and to merchants in order to improve theprocess by which merchants and PM service engage with consumers.

For example, the PM service may analyze the electronic marketinginformation to generate customized menu interfaces that facilitateconsumer service. Based on the electronic marketing information, the PMservice may generate menus that are relevant to real-time preferences,conditions or habits of the consumer. Furthermore, the PM service mayidentify an increased demand for a particular product or service, andprovide an electronic report to a merchant suggesting the merchant offerthe particular product or service, or update the menu interface toinclude, recommend, or otherwise present the particular product orservice. In another example, the PM service may identify that aparticular product or service is not selling or resulting in themerchant losing money, customers, or market share (e.g., after consumersorder a particular menu item, they never come back to the merchant), andsuggest that the merchant should discontinue offering that product orservice or remove the product or service from the menu interface.

It should be appreciated that the term “business analytic data” isintended to refer to electronically and programmatically generated data.For example, a printed report or letter manually drafted by an employeeof the service would not be said to include business analytic data, evenif said data was used by the employee during the drafting process, whilea data disk or downloaded file containing analytics generated by the PMservice would be considered business analytic data. Human interactionrequires time, resources, introduces errors, and is incapable ofefficiently considering large data collections, and thus variousembodiments discussed herein include solutions to some or all of thesetechnical problems.

As used herein, “wallet identifying data,” “digital consumer token” or“consumer device token” refers to a key, code, identifier, or the like,that uniquely identifies a consumer device and/or consumer accountrecord. For example, consumer profiles and/or consumer information of aconsumer account record may be associated with a digital consumer token.The digital consumer token may be passed from consumer devices tomerchant devices, and used by the merchant devices to access consumerinformation associated with the digital consumer token (e.g., via anexchange with the PM service). As used herein, a “consumer account” or“consumer account record” refers to a record or collection of consumerinformation stored in one or more consumer account databases of the PMservice.

Technical Underpinnings and Implementation of Exemplary Embodiments

Merchants, including manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, havespent a tremendous amount of time, money, manpower, and other resourcesto determine the best way to serve products and services to consumers.Whether a given consumer interaction is successful (at least from themerchant's perspective) is often determined based on thereturn-on-investment received to the merchant in terms of revenues,profits, and increased awareness of the merchant's goods and serviceswhen compared to the resources invested by the merchant to facilitatethe consumer interaction. To this end, a merchant's financial resourcesmay be spent in a variety of different manners including conductingmarket and consumer research, identifying consumers, tracking consumerpreferences, purchases, behaviors, or habits, training employees,offering targeted products or services, advertising, offering ofdiscounts, conducting market research, among other things. The end goalof these activities is to ensure that consumer information isprogrammatically leveraged during consumer and merchant interactionswhile minimizing the expense of the effort.

The advent of electronic commerce has revolutionized the marketingprocess. While merchants would typically have to perform costly marketresearch such as focus groups, surveys, and the like to obtain detailedinformation on consumer preferences and demographics, the digital agehas provided a wealth of new consumer information that may be used tooptimize the point-of-sale process. As a result, new technologies havebeen developed to gather, aggregate, analyze, and report informationfrom a variety of electronic sources.

Various embodiments discussed herein may provide for consumer interfacesthat facilitate the acquisition of so-called “clickstream data” or“electronic marketing data.” Such data provides a robust set ofinformation describing the various interactions consumers have withelectronic marketing information provided to them by merchants andothers. The PM service may be developed with sophisticated technologiesthat are configured to receive and process this data for the benefit ofboth merchants and consumers. The PM service may assist merchants withmarketing or otherwise presenting their products to interestedconsumers, while reducing the chance that a consumer will be presentedwith marketing or menu information in which the consumer has nointerest. The PM service may further leverage its access to the trove ofelectronic marketing information to assist merchants and consumers withother tasks, such as offering improved consumer profile and informationmanagement, improved merchant inventory and supply chain management,improved point-of-sale interfaces and menu displays, improved methodsfor delivering products and services, improved consumer interfaces forinteracting with merchant data via consumer devices, and the like.

Unlike conventional techniques related to the use of paper or otherphysical media (e.g., paper menus or merchant listings), the PM servicemay offer a wealth of additional electronic solutions to improve theexperience for consumers and merchants. The ability to closely monitorconsumer interactions (e.g., with consumer interfaces and/orimpressions, motion data, transactions data generated at merchantlocations, location data indicating consumer location, etc.) providesthe ability for the PM service to gather data related to the time,place, and manner in which consumers engaged with the electronic data(e.g., completed or attempted a motion data objective and/or other gameapplication objective, viewed, clicked, provided a payment via aconsumer device, approved a payment via a communication with a merchantdevice, moused-over an impression and obtained and redeemed thepromotion, etc.). The PM service may use this information to determinewhich merchants, products, and services are most relevant to theconsumer's interest, and to provide improved consumer interfaces (e.g.,including materials related to said products and services) to consumerdevices and/or consumer interfaces designed to gather additional,useful, or needed data, thus improving the efficiency of the electronicmarketing communications received by the consumer device.Advantageously, the techniques discussed herein provides for increasedefficiency of network based communications through targeting ofelectronic data based on relevance. Similarly, electronic data that isless relevant or not relevant to the consumer is not sent via thenetwork to the consumer interfaces, thereby reducing system processingrequirements and network congestion, and increasing throughput ofrelevant electronic data via the network. In some embodiments, the PMservice may additionally or alternatively use this information togenerate point-of-sale interfaces and menu displays that are targeted tothe consumer, thus improving the quality a consumer's experience at amerchant shop.

Although electronic marketing information provides a wealth ofinformation, the inventors have determined that existing techniques maynot always leverage or process this information in an efficient oraccurate manner. Furthermore, existing techniques are limited in theways that the electronic marketing information may be generated byconsumer devices. Technology continues to rapidly advance in the fieldof analytics and the processing of this information, offering improveddata gathering and analysis techniques, resulting in more relevant andaccurate results provided in a more efficient manner. Promotion andmarketing services continue to evolve and provide improved methods forengaging consumers and spreading awareness of products offered by theservices.

In many cases, the inventors have determined that these services areconstrained by technological obstacles unique to the electronic natureof the services provided, such as constraints on data storage, networkresources, machine communication, interoperability, and processorresources. The inventors have identified that the wealth of electronicdata available to these services and the robust nature of promotion andmarketing techniques present new data, network, and communicationchallenges never contemplated in the world of paper menus and physicalmarketing techniques (e.g., paper coupons). The inventors have furtherdetermined that even technological methods that leverage computers forstatistical analysis and consumer behavior modeling (e.g., televisionrating systems) fail to address problems associated with providingrelevant, high quality consumer interfaces in a manner that maximizesaccuracy, minimizes error, is user friendly and provides for efficientallocation of resources. Embodiments of the present invention asdescribed herein serve to correct these deficiencies and offer improvedresource utilization, thus providing improvements to electronic consumerinterface services that address problems arising out of the electronicnature of those services.

Advantageously, the consumer interfaces discussed herein may provide forimprovements in the quantity and quality of electronic marketing datareceived from consumer interactions on consumer devices. For example,the level of consumer engagement can be improved by providing gameinterfaces that are interesting, challenging, rewarding, or otherwiseengaging to consumers. The consumers may be motivated to engage theimproved consumer interfaces for greater periods of time, for repeatedsessions, via inviting friends or participating in other networkedsocial functionality, thereby increasing overall consumer engagementwith the PM service. The consumer interactions provided via the consumerinterface can provides additional signals as to a consumer's behavior,interest, etc. that may be leveraged for relevance-based matching,thereby facilitating effective data acquisition and training ofmachine-based learning systems. Furthermore, consumers may be providedwith opportunities to purchase promotions based on completion of gameobjectives to further drive engagement with the consumer interfaces andPM service.

System Architecture and Example Apparatus

Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products of the presentinvention may be embodied by any of a variety of devices. For example,some embodiments may include a networked device, such as one or moreservers or other network entity, configured to communicate with one ormore devices, such as one or more client devices. A client device mayinclude a fixed computing device, such as a personal computer or acomputer workstation. In another example, a client device may include amobile terminals, such as a portable digital assistant (PDA), mobiletelephone, wearable device, smart watch, electronic eyewear, smartphone,laptop computer, tablet computer, or any combination of theaforementioned devices.

In this regard, FIG. 1 shows an example computing system 100 withinwhich embodiments of the present invention may operate. System 100 mayinclude promotion and marketing (PM) service 102 including one or moreservers 104 and one or more database 106. PM service 102 may beconnected with client devices via network 112 (e.g., the Internet), suchas consumer devices 108A-108N and merchant devices 110A-110N. Theconsumer devices 108A-108N may each be associated with differentconsumer accounts, such as based on PM service receiving login data(e.g., username, password, biometric identifier, etc.) associated withthe consumer accounts from the consumer devices. In some embodiments,consumer devices 108A-108N may be mobile devices such as smartphonesthat can be readily carried by the consumer while remaining (e.g., atleast intermittently) in communication with the PM service 102 vianetwork 112.

Server 104 may be a single server or may be multiple (e.g., distributed)servers, and may provide for the receiving of electronic data fromvarious sources, including but not necessarily limited to the consumerdevices 108A-108N and the merchant devices 110A-110N. For example, theserver 104 may be operable to receive and process electronic marketinginformation provided by the consumer devices 108 and/or the merchantdevices 110. The server 104 may also facilitate e-commerce transactionsbased on transaction information provided by the consumer devices 108and/or the merchant devices 110. For example, server 104 may generate aconsumer interface configured to interact with motion data generated bya consumer as discussed herein to provide improved electronic marketingcommunications to consumer devices as discussed in further detail below.In some embodiments, the server 104 may further facilitate thegeneration and providing of various point-of-sale interfaces and menudisplays, or the generation and providing of electronic communicationsand marketing materials based on interactions performed via thepoint-of-sale interfaces.

The database 106 may be embodied as one or more data storage devicessuch as a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device or devices, or as aseparate database server or servers. The database 106 may includeconsumer data and/or merchant data accessed and stored by the server 104to facilitate the operations of the PM service 102. In some embodiments,consumer data associated with consumer account records may be stored inone or more consumer databases and merchant data associated withmerchants may be stored in one or more separate merchant database. Insome embodiments, the database 106 may include, without limitation,consumer account credentials for system administrators, one or moreconsumer profiles and related data (e.g., consumer preferences,information sharing rules, etc.), associations between consumer profilesand consumer identifying tokens, merchants, and consumers, dataindicating the products and promotions offered by the PM service, menuitem data, inventory data, employee information (e.g., skills,specializations, organizational role, shift or payroll data, backgroundor employee profile information, etc.) clickstream data, transactiondata, discretionary data, analytic results, reports, financial data,and/or the like.

The consumer devices 108A-108N may include computing device that areassociated with and/or operated by a consumer. Electronic data receivedby the server 104 from the consumer devices 108A-108N may be provided invarious forms and via various methods. As discussed above, a consumerdevice 108 may be a mobile device, such as a smart phone or tablet, theconsumer device 108 may execute a mobile device application (an “app” or“mobile app”) to interact with the PM service 102. Such apps aretypically designed to execute on mobile devices, such as tablets orsmartphones. For example, a mobile software application or “app” may beprovided that executes on mobile device operating systems such as AppleInc.'s iOS®, Google Inc.'s Android®, or Microsoft Inc.'s Windows 8®.These platforms typically provide operating system frameworks that allowapps to communicate with one another and with particular hardware andsoftware components of mobile devices. For example, the mobile operatingsystems named above each provide frameworks for interacting withlocation services circuitry, wired and wireless network interfaces, usercontacts, and other applications in a manner that allows for improvedinteractions between apps while also preserving the privacy and securityof consumers. In some embodiments, a mobile operating system may alsoprovide for improved communication interfaces for interacting withexternal devices (e.g., home automation systems, indoor navigationsystems, and the like). Communication with hardware and software modulesexecuting outside of the app is typically provided via applicationprogramming interfaces (APIs) provided by the mobile device operatingsystem.

The PM service 102 may leverage the application framework offered by themobile operating system to allow consumers to designate whichinformation is provided to the app and which information may then beprovided to the PA service 102. In some embodiments, consumers may “optin” to provide particular data to the PA service 102 in exchange for abenefit, such as improved relevancy of marketing communications offeredto the user. In some embodiments, the consumer may be provided withprivacy information and other terms and conditions related to theinformation provided to the PM service 102 during installation or use ofthe app. Once the consumer provides access to a particular feature ofthe mobile device, information derived from that feature may be providedto the PM service 102 to improve the quality of the consumer'sinteractions with the PM service and merchant devices.

For example, the consumer may indicate that they wish to provide motiondata or location information to the app from location services circuitryincluded in their mobile device. Providing this information to the PMservice 102 may enable the PM service 102 to provide consumer interfacesthat are relevant to the particular location of the consumer device(e.g., by providing promotions or other information for merchantsproximate to the consumer's current location). It should be appreciatedthat the various mobile device operating systems may provide the abilityto regulate the information provided to the app associated with the PMservice 102. For example, the consumer may decide at a later point todisable the ability of the app to access the location servicescircuitry, thus limiting the access of the consumer's locationinformation to the PM service 102.

Various other types of information may also be provided in conjunctionwith an app executing on the consumer's mobile device. For example, ifthe mobile device includes a social networking feature, the consumer mayenable the app to provide updates to the consumer's social network tonotify friends of a particularly interesting promotion, or leveragesocial networking data to generate or update consumer information (e.g.,one or more consumer profiles). It should be appreciated that the use ofmobile technology and associated app may provide for particularly uniqueand beneficial uses of the PM service through leveraging thefunctionality offered by the various mobile operating systems.

Additionally or alternatively, the consumer device 108 may interactthrough the PM service 102 via a web browser. As yet another example,the consumer device 108 may include various hardware or firmwaredesigned to interface with the PM service 102 (e.g., where the consumerdevice 108 is a purpose-built device offered for the primary purpose ofcommunicating with the PA service 102, such as a store kiosk) via anetwork (e.g., the Internet).

The merchant devices 110A-110N may be computing devices that areassociated with and/or operated by a merchant. For example, the merchantdevices 110A-110N may include a merchant point-of-sale device, a tabletor other mobile device executing a mobile application and/or mobilebrowser application, a merchant e-commerce server, a merchant inventorysystem, or a computing device accessing a web site or app designed andconfigured to provide point-of-sale functionality (e.g., by accessing aPM service server 104 through an app or a web page via a browser using aset of merchant account credentials). Electronic data received by PMservice 102 from the merchant devices 110A-110N may also be provided invarious forms and via various methods. For example, the merchant devices110A-110N may provide menu data or menu item data (e.g., items offered,ingredients, price, etc.), or real-time transaction data and/orinventory information as purchases are made from the merchant. In otherembodiments, the merchant devices 110A-110N may be employed to provideinformation to the PM service 102 to enable the PM service 102 togenerate promotions or other marketing information to be provided toconsumer devices via network 112.

An example of a data flow for exchanging electronic information amongone or more consumer devices, merchant devices, and the PM service isdescribed below with respect to FIG. 3.

Example Apparatus[es] for Implementing Embodiments of the PresentInvention

The server 104 may be embodied by one or more computing systems, such asapparatus 200 shown in FIG. 2. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the apparatus200 may include a processor 202, a memory 204, input/output circuitry206, communications circuitry 208, PM service circuitry 210,point-of-sale service circuitry 212, and data collection circuitry 214.The apparatus 200 may be configured to execute the operations describedabove with respect to FIG. 1 and below with respect to FIG. 6. Althoughthese components 202-214 are described with respect to functionallimitations, it should be understood that the particular implementationsnecessarily include the use of particular hardware. It should also beunderstood that certain of these components 202-214 may include similaror common hardware. For example, two sets of circuitry may both leverageuse of the same processor, network interface, storage medium, or thelike to perform their associated functions, such that duplicate hardwareis not required for each set of circuitry. The use of the term“circuitry” as used herein with respect to components of the apparatusshould therefore be understood to include particular hardware configuredto perform the functions associated with the particular circuitry asdescribed herein.

The term “circuitry” should be understood broadly to include hardwareand, in some embodiments, software for configuring the hardware. Forexample, in some embodiments, “circuitry” may include processingcircuitry, storage media, network interfaces, input/output devices, andthe like. In some embodiments, other elements of the apparatus 200 mayprovide or supplement the functionality of particular circuitry. Forexample, the processor 202 may provide processing functionality, thememory 204 may provide storage functionality, the communicationscircuitry 208 may provide network interface functionality, and the like.

In some embodiments, the processor 202 (and/or co-processor or any otherprocessing circuitry assisting or otherwise associated with theprocessor) may be in communication with the memory 204 via a bus forpassing information among components of the apparatus. The memory 204may be non-transitory and may include, for example, one or more volatileand/or non-volatile memories. In other words, for example, the memorymay be an electronic storage device (e.g., a computer readable storagemedium). The memory 204 may be configured to store information, data,content, applications, instructions, or the like, for enabling theapparatus to carry out various functions in accordance with exampleembodiments of the present invention.

The processor 202 may be embodied in a number of different ways and may,for example, include one or more processing devices configured toperform independently. Additionally or alternatively, the processor mayinclude one or more processors configured in tandem via a bus to enableindependent execution of instructions, pipelining, and/ormultithreading. The use of the term “processing circuitry” may beunderstood to include a single core processor, a multi-core processor,multiple processors internal to the apparatus, and/or remote or “cloud”processors.

In an example embodiment, the processor 202 may be configured to executeinstructions stored in the memory 204 or otherwise accessible to theprocessor. Alternatively or additionally, the processor may beconfigured to execute hard-coded functionality. As such, whetherconfigured by hardware or software methods, or by a combination thereof,the processor may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied incircuitry) capable of performing operations according to an embodimentof the present invention while configured accordingly. Alternatively, asanother example, when the processor is embodied as an executor ofsoftware instructions, the instructions may specifically configure theprocessor to perform the algorithms and/or operations described hereinwhen the instructions are executed.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 200 may include input/outputcircuitry 206 that may, in turn, be in communication with processor 202to provide output to the user and, in some embodiments, to receive anindication of a user input. The input/output circuitry 206 may comprisea user interface and may include a display and may comprise a web userinterface, a mobile application, a client device, a kiosk, or the like.In some embodiments, the input/output circuitry 206 may also include akeyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a touch screen, touch areas, soft keys, amicrophone, a speaker, or other input/output mechanisms. The processorand/or user interface circuitry comprising the processor may beconfigured to control one or more functions of one or more userinterface elements through computer program instructions (e.g., softwareand/or firmware) stored on a memory accessible to the processor (e.g.,memory 204, and/or the like).

The communications circuitry 208 may be any means such as a device orcircuitry embodied in either hardware or a combination of hardware andsoftware that is configured to receive and/or transmit data from/to anetwork and/or any other device, circuitry, or module in communicationwith the apparatus 200. In this regard, the communications circuitry 208may include, for example, a network interface for enablingcommunications with a wired or wireless communication network. Forexample, the communications circuitry 208 may include one or morenetwork interface cards, antennae, buses, switches, routers, modems, andsupporting hardware and/or software, or any other device suitable forenabling communications via a network. Additionally or alternatively,the communication interface may include the circuitry for interactingwith the antenna(s) to cause transmission of signals via the antenna(s)or to handle receipt of signals received via the antenna(s).

As discussed in greater detail below, PM service circuitry 210 includehardware configured to generate and/or provide consumer interfaces toconsumer devices. Point-of-sale service (POS) circuitry 212 may includehardware configured to provide point-of-sale interfaces to merchantdevices. For example, a point-of-sale interface for a restaurantmerchant may include a menu display including selectable menu items. Insome embodiments, POS service circuitry 212 may be further configured tofacilitate menu item preparation, such as by providing menu item data(e.g., indicating ingredients and/or amounts of the ingredients of amenu item) to a kitchen display. Data collection circuitry 214 mayinclude hardware configured to collect electronic marketing information(e.g., motion data, discretionary data, clickstream data, transactiondata, location data, real-time consumer device signals, etc.), which maybe used by data collection circuitry 214 and/or PM service circuitry 210to update the consumer interface of a consumer device and/or a merchantPOS interface of a merchant device (e.g., as suitable for a particularconsumer).

In some embodiments, circuitry 210-214 may utilize processing circuitry,such as the processor 202, to perform these actions. However, it shouldalso be appreciated that, in some embodiments, one or more ofcircuitries 210-214 may include a separate processor, speciallyconfigured field programmable gate array (FPGA), or application specificinterface circuit (ASIC). Circuitry 210-214 may therefore be implementedusing hardware components of the apparatus configured by either hardwareor software for implementing these programmatic functions.

As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions and/orother type of code may be loaded onto a computer, processor or otherprogrammable apparatus's circuitry to produce a machine, such that thecomputer, processor other programmable circuitry that execute the codeon the machine create the means for implementing various functions,including those described herein.

It is also noted that all or some of the information presented by theexample displays discussed herein can be based on data that is received,generated and/or maintained by one or more components of apparatus 200.In some embodiments, one or more external systems (such as a remotecloud computing and/or data storage system) may also be leveraged toprovide at least some of the functionality discussed herein.

As described above and as will be appreciated based on this disclosure,embodiments of the present invention may be configured as methods,mobile devices, backend network devices, and the like. Accordingly,embodiments may comprise various means including entirely of hardware orany combination of software and hardware. Furthermore, embodiments maytake the form of a computer program product on at least onenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readableprogram instructions (e.g., computer software) embodied in the storagemedium. Any suitable computer-readable storage medium may be utilizedincluding non-transitory hard disks, CD-ROMs, flash memory, opticalstorage devices, or magnetic storage devices.

Consumer device(s) 108 may be embodied by one or more computing systems,such as apparatus 400 shown in FIG. 4. The depicted apparatus 400includes processor 402, memory 404, input/output circuitry 406,communications circuitry 408, and consumer interface circuitry 410. Theapparatus 400 may be configured to execute the operations describedherein with respect to FIGS. 1 and 6. The functioning of the processor402, the memory 404, the input/output circuitry 406, and thecommunication circuitry 408 may be similar to the similarly namedcomponents described above with respect to FIG. 2. For the sake ofbrevity, additional description of these components is omitted.

Consumer interface circuitry 410 may include hardware configured toprovide a consumer interface on device 400. In some embodiments,consumer interface circuitry 410 may communicate with PM servicecircuitry 210 of server 104 to provide the consumer interface. In someembodiments, consumer interface circuitry 410 may be configured toperform some or all of the techniques discussed herein with respect toPM service circuitry 210. For example, the consumer interface circuitry410 may receive consumer device inputs and/or motion data and mayprocess the consumer device inputs to programmatically manipulate theconsumer display as discussed herein. In some embodiments, consumerinterface circuitry 410 may be further configured to generate consumerdevice location data indicating the location of a consumer device andprovide the consumer device location data to server 104 as an input tothe PM service 102. For example, consumer interface circuitry 410 mayuse cell-tower triangulation, global positioning systems (GPS), internetprotocol (IP) address, and/or any other suitable technique to determinethe consumer device location data.

Merchant device(s) 110 may be embodied by one or more computing systems,such as apparatus 500 shown in FIG. 5. The depicted apparatus 500, whichmay be configured for use at a merchant location (e.g., a storefront,shop, restaurant, merchandise storage, warehouse, etc.), may includeprocessor 502, memory 504, input/output circuitry 506, communicationscircuitry 508, and point-of-sale circuitry 510. The functioning of theprocessor 502, the memory 504, the input/output circuitry 506, and thecommunication circuitry 508 may be similar to the similarly namedcomponents described above with respect to FIG. 2. For the sake ofbrevity, additional description of these components is omitted.

Point-of-sale circuitry 510 may include hardware configured to providethe point-of-sale interface on the merchant device. In some embodiments,point-of-sale circuitry 510 may communicate with POS service circuitry212 of server 104. In some embodiments, point-of-sale circuitry 510 maybe configured to perform some or all of the techniques discussed hereinwith respect to POS service circuitry 212. In some embodiments,point-of-sale circuitry 510 may be configured to facilitate menucreation, inventory management, employee and enterprise managementfunctionality (e.g., time keeping, payroll, etc.), menu item orinventory preparation, etc.

Example Service Data Flow

FIG. 3 depicts an example data flow 300 illustrating interactionsbetween a server 302, one or more consumer devices 304, and one or moremerchant devices 306. The server 302 may be implemented in the same or asimilar fashion as the server 104 as described above with respect toFIG. 1, the one or more consumer devices 304 may be implemented in thesame or a similar fashion as the consumer devices 108A-108N as describedabove with respect to FIG. 1, and the one or more merchant devices 306may be implemented in the same or a similar fashion as the merchantdevices 110A-110N as described above with respect to FIG. 1.

The data flow 300 illustrates how electronic information may be passedamong various systems when employing a server 302 in accordance withsome embodiments. The one or more consumer devices 304 and/or one ormore merchant devices 306 may provide a variety of electronic marketinginformation to the server 302 for use in providing the consumerinterface service to consumer devices. This electronic marketinginformation may include, but is not limited to, motion data, locationdata, clickstream data, transaction data, communication channel data,and/or discretionary data.

In some embodiments, server 302 may generate wallet identifying data ora digital consumer token associated with one or more consumer profilesand provide the digital consumer token to consumer device 304. Whenconsumer device 304 shares the digital consumer token with merchantdevice 306, which merchant device 306 may pass the digital consumertoken to server 304. In response, server 304 may return a point-of-saleinterface configured to facilitate consumer interactions based on theconsumer information associated with the consumer profile. In anotherexample, server 304 may provide consumer profile information and/orbusiness analytic data relevant to the consumer to merchant device 306based on receiving the digital consumer token identifying the consumeraccount or profile(s). In that sense, the PM service may allow aconsumer carrying consumer device 304 to enter within a proximity of amerchant shop and/or to enter a merchant shop (e.g., with consumerdevice 304 being configured to broadcast a digital consumer token) toreceive personalized, customized or targeted service without requiringadditional consumer interactions with consumer device 304, the merchant,or merchant device 306 that may interrupt, inconvenience or otherwisecomplicate the real-time consumer merchant interaction.

In some embodiments, as a result of transactions performed between theone or more consumer devices 304 and the server 302, the server 302 mayprovide fulfillment data to the consumer devices. The fulfillment datamay include information indicating whether the transaction wassuccessful, the location and time the product will be provided to theconsumer, instruments for redeeming promotions purchased by theconsumer, or the like.

In addition to the e-commerce interactions with the one or more consumerdevices 304 offered by the server 302, the server 302 may leverageinformation provided by the consumer devices to improve the relevancy ofthe consumer interface provided to consumer device. For example, theserver 302 may determine promotions, goods, and services that are morelikely to be of interest to a particular consumer or group of consumersbased on clickstream data, discretionary data, transaction data,location data, and other information provided by and/or relating toparticular consumers. For example, the server 302 may detect thelocation of a consumer based on location data provided by the consumerdevice, and provide merchant information based on the proximity of theconsumer to the merchants.

Alternatively, the server 302 may note that the consumer has an interestin a particular hobby (e.g., skiing) based on electronic marketinginformation associated with the consumer (e.g., profile information,discretionary data provided by the consumer, clickstream data such as abrowser cookie that indicates they frequently visit websites thatprovide snowfall forecasts for particular ski resorts), priortransaction data, and offer promotions or items associated with thathobby (e.g., a promotion offering discounted ski equipment rentals orlift tickets). It should be appreciated that a variety of differenttypes of electronic marketing information could be provided to theserver 302 for the purpose of improving the relevancy of point-of-saleinterfaces and/or consumer interfaces (e.g., including electronicmarketing communications). It should also be appreciated that thiselectronic marketing information may be received from a variety ofelectronic sources, including various consumer devices, merchantdevices, and other sources both internal and external to a PM service.For example, other data sources may include imported contact databasesmaintained by merchants, electronic survey questions answered byconsumers, and/or various other forms of electronic data.

It should also be appreciated that the server 302 may also control otherfactors of the electronic marketing communications sent to the consumerother than the particular promotions included in the electronicmarketing communication. For example, the server 302 may determine theform, structure, frequency, and type of the electronic marketingcommunication. As with the content of the electronic marketingcommunication, these factors may be programmatically determinedaccording to various methods, factors, and processes based on electronicdata received by the server 302 for the purpose of maximize thelikelihood that the communication will be relevant to the recipientconsumer.

The server 302 interactions with the one or more merchant devices 306may be related to enabling the merchant to provide point-of-sale relatedservices to consumers using the PM service. For example, the one or moremerchant devices 306 may provide product data, menu item data, inventorydata, and/or employee data to server 302. The sever 302 may receive thisinformation and generate menu displays or point-of-sale interfaces thatmay be provided to merchant devices 306 Additionally or alternatively,consumer interfaces, map displays, merchant displays, and/or menudisplays may be provided to consumer devices 304, such as for merchantbrowsing, online ordering, consumer self-service, etc.

In some embodiments, merchants may market their products using a PMservice. For example, the one or more merchant devices 306 may providepromotion data defining one or more promotions to be offered by the PMservice on behalf of the merchant. The server 302 may receive thepromotion data and generate electronic marketing communications forproviding such promotions via an e-commerce interface, making thepromotions available for purchase by consumers. The server 302 may alsoreceive product/inventory data about products from the one or moremerchant devices 306. For example, a merchant may product/inventory dataindicating particular products, product prices, inventory levels, andthe like to be marketed via a PM service. The server 302 may receivethis information and generate electronic marketing communications tooffer the products to consumers. As discussed in greater detail herein,the electronic marketing communications may take the form of a consumerinterface including ambient map displays of local merchants withindications of real-time merchant activity level, among other things.

The one or more merchant devices 306 may also receive information fromthe server 302. For example, in some embodiments a merchant may obtainaccess to certain consumer information and/or business analytic dataaggregated, generated, or maintained by the server 302. As a particularexample, a merchant's menu or point-of-sale interface may be customizedbased on the consumer information such as for ranking or ordering menuitems within the point-of-sale interface, removing menu items includingdisfavored ingredients, etc.

Motion Data Based Consumer Interfaces

Some embodiments may provide consumer interfaces that are capable ofinteracting with motion data generated a consumer device. The motiondata may be used, either by itself or in connection with other forms ofelectronic marketing information, to facilitate in the creation ofelectronic marketing communications that may be provided to the consumerinterface. For example, a central system (e.g., including one or morenetworked servers such as system 102) and/or consumer device may beconfigured to provide the consumer interface to a consumer device. Theconsumer interface may include a game interface or otherwise indicate amotion data object to be completed via the creation of motion data onthe consumer device. Based on the motion data provided by the consumer,the system may determine one or more promotion parameters of a promotionand provide an electronic marketing communication of the promotion tothe consumer device via the consumer interface.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of an example of a method 600 of determiningpromotion data parameters based on motion data performed in accordancewith some embodiments. Method 600 is described as being performed bycomponents of computing system 100. For example, some or all of thesteps of method 600 may be performed by one or more servers 104 and/or aconsumer device 108 of system 100. In some embodiments, method 600 maybe performed by one or more other suitably configured servers,apparatuses, storage devices, routers, network switches, etc.Furthermore, it is appreciated that one or more of the steps discussedherein as being performed by servers 104 may be performed by a consumerdevice 108.

Method 600 may begin at 602 and proceed to 604, where one or moreservers 104 may be configured to connect with merchant devices andconsumer devices via a network. For example, communications circuitry208 of one or more servers 104 may be configured to connect withmerchant devices 110A-N and consumer devices 108A-N via network 112(e.g., the Internet). Merchant devices 110A-N may be associated with oneor more different merchants. In some embodiments, the connection betweenthe one or more servers 104 and a consumer device 108 may include awireless connection, such as a mobile broadband or other wirelessInternet connection. Here, the consumer device may be capable ofmaintaining (e.g., at least intermittently) the connection with the oneor more servers as the consumer is carrying the consumer device.

The merchant devices may be associated with a plurality of differentmerchants and/or merchant locations. For example, each of merchantdevices 110A-N may be physically located at a particular merchant devicelocation such as a merchant's storefront, shop, restaurant, warehouse,etc. Server 104 may receive merchant location data from a merchantdevice 110, and may be configured to determine the merchant devicelocation based on the merchant location data received from merchantdevice 110. The merchant location data may be determined using anysuitable technique including cell-tower triangulation, globalpositioning systems (GPS), internet protocol (IP) address, or merchantdevice data input (e.g., in a registration or configuration process forthe merchant device).

In some embodiments, server 104 may connect with merchant devicesassociated with multiple different merchants. As such, server 104 and orPM service 102 may serve as a central system that providesinteroperability between merchant devices and consumer devices.Furthermore, server 104 and or PM service may act as an aggregator andprocessor of merchant and/or consumer data, and may leverage such datato provide “big data” analytics to smaller merchants that wouldotherwise be unable to procure or leverage such data.

In some embodiments, the associations between merchant devices andmerchant device locations may be stored in a merchant database, such asdatabase 106 of PM service 102. For example, each merchant device may beassociated with a merchant device identifier that uniquely identifiesthe merchant device. Furthermore, each merchant device may be associatedwith a merchant identifier that uniquely identifies the merchant, andthe merchant location data that indicates the location of the merchantdevice. In some embodiments, a single merchant or merchant location maybe associated with multiple merchant devices. For example, a restaurantmerchant may provide merchant devices to each member of the wait staffto facilitate point-of-sale functionality such as taking orders,creating tabs, facilitating payments, etc.

At 606, the one or more servers 106 may be configured to associate aconsumer device with a consumer account. For example, the consumerdevice may be associated with a consumer account record of a consumerdatabase, such as database 106 of PM service 102. In some embodiments,the consumer device may be associated with the consumer account recordbased on server 106 receiving login data (e.g., username, password,biometric identifier, etc.) associated with the consumer account recordfrom the consumer device via the network. The login data may begenerated by the consumer device via a consumer device input (e.g., to atouchscreen, touch pad, keyboard, mouse, fingerprint reader, etc.), orin another example, may be stored within a memory of the consumer deviceand provided to server 106 without requiring the consumer device inputs.

At 608, the one or more servers 106 may be configured to generate aconsumer interface including a representation of an object that isresponsive to motion data. As discussed above, the consumer interfacemay be provided to or otherwise executed on the consumer device. Forexample, the representation of the object may be a graphicalrepresentation provided to a display of the consumer device. The objectcan take on various forms, and can be manipulated by motion data and/orother consumer device input in various ways. For example, the locationof the object with the consumer device display may be changed based onmotion data indicating tilting, rotation, or spatial movement of theconsumer device as measured by a motion sensor (e.g., a six-axisgyroscope accelerometer) representation of the object may be provided tothe display of the consumer device. In another example, the size, visualappearance, prominence, color, and/or other characteristic of the objectmay be changed responsive to the motion data. As discussed in greaterdetail below, the object may in some embodiments be represented within agame, and may respond to the motion data based on one or more motiondata objectives associated with the game. Advantageously, the use ofmotion data for interactions with the consumer interface leverages the“mobile” aspect of mobile consumer devices, and provides for enhancedinterface control that would otherwise not be available on or suitablefor stationary devices. Furthermore, the representation of the objectresponsive to motion data can be altered in response to changes in themotion data to provide the user with a real-time visual feedback for themotion data.

At 610, the one or more servers 106 may be configured to provide theconsumer interface to the consumer device via the network. For example,server 104 may provide the consumer interface to consumer device 108 vianetwork 112. FIGS. 7-11 respectively show example consumer interfaces700-1100 in accordance with some embodiments. Each of consumerinterfaces 700-1100 are configured to provide examples of network-basedgames that may be provided to a consumer interface. Consumer interface700 includes a lever tilting game, consumer interface 800 includes afinders keepers game, consumer interface 900 includes a selection game,consumer interface 1000 includes a question and answer game, andconsumer interface 1100 includes a scavenger hunt game.

At 612, the one or more servers 104 may be configured to determine amotion data objective. A “motion data objective,” as used herein, refersto an objective or goal that can be achieved based on motion datainteraction with the consumer interface. In that sense, each of thegames shown in consumer interfaces 700-1100 may be associated withdifferent motion data objectives. In some embodiments, the one or moreservers 104 may be configured to determine a particular game or motiondata objective. For example, the game may be determined based onconsumer device selection. In another example, the one or more servers104 may be configured to programmatically determine the game, such asbased on consumer data indicating consumer preference for a particulargame (e.g., via tracking consumer activity) or based on a predeterminedpromotion or promotion data parameter. For example, where a promotion isassociated with a particular game, the particular game may be selectedin response to determining to provide an electronic marketingcommunication of the promotion.

With reference to FIG. 7, consumer interface 700 may include a levertilting game with a representation of a lever object 702 (or “lever702”). The lever 702 is an example of a virtual representation of anobject that is responsive to motion data. For example, lever 702 can betilted (e.g., left or right) along a dial based on the consumer tiltingconsumer device 706 along Y axis 708. In some embodiments, the tiltingmay be determined by the sensing a rotational degree of freedom by asix-axis gyroscope accelerometer and/or a three axis gyroscope. Here,lever 702 may be rotated left via bolt 704 when left side 710 ofconsumer device 706 is tilted down and right side 712 of consumer device706 is tilted up along Y axis 708. Lever 702 may be rotated right viabolt 704 when right side 712 of consumer device 706 is titled up andleft side 710 is tilted down along Y axis 708. Lever 702 may be animatedto move in a manner that would be intuitive to a user based on theeffects of gravity when the consumer device is tilted, as indicated bythe motion data.

Consumer interface 700 may further indicate the motion data objectiveassociated with the lever tilting game. For example, a message indicatesthat the consumer should tilt the consumer device to move the lever fromstart 714 to goal 716. Furthermore, a second message indicates that theconsumer has a limited time. Here, the motion data objective may includemoving lever 702 as close as possible to goal 716 within a predeterminedtime (e.g., 1 second, 2 seconds, etc.). Alternatively or additionally,the motion data objective may include moving lever 702 within the spaceof goal 716. Here, the area of the dial represented by goal 716 may actas a motion data threshold for satisfying the motion data objective,where the motion data objective is satisfied only when lever 702 iswithin a range of predetermined locations, such as the distance alongthe dial defined by goal 716. In some embodiments, the lever tiltinggame may further include a no deal region 718, where the motion dataobjective includes moving the lever as close to goal 716 as possiblewithout reaching the no deal region 718. As discussed in greater detailbelow, promotion data parameters such as the amount of a discount may bedetermined based on game performance. For example, an increasinglygreater discount may be provided based on lever 702 being closer to goal716, while no discount may be provided if lever 702 goes past goal 716and into no deal region 718.

With reference to FIG. 8, consumer interface 800 may include a finderskeepers game with a representation of an avatar object 802 (or “avatar802”). The avatar 802 is another example of a virtual representation ofan object that is responsive to motion data. For example, avatar 802 maybe a ball that is “rolled” along virtual surface 804 based tilting ofthe consumer device 806 along rotational axes of a motion sensor. Inanother example, the avatar may be a virtual person, animal, or otherobject that moves along the virtual surface 804 based on the tilting. Insome embodiments, the tilting may be determined by the sensing of two(e.g., Y axis 808 and X axis 810) or more (e.g., Y axis 808, X axis 810,and a Z axis) rotational degrees of freedom by a six-axis gyroscopeaccelerometer and/or a three axis gyroscope. Avatar 802 may be animatedto move in a manner that would be intuitive to a user based on theeffects of gravity when the consumer device is tilted, as indicated bythe motion data.

Consumer interface 800 may further indicate the motion data objectiveassociated with the finders keepers game. For example, a messageindicates that the consumer should tilt the consumer device to move theavatar 802 from start 814 to collect goal 816. Furthermore, a secondmessage indicates that the consumer has a limited time (e.g., 10seconds) Here, the motion data objective may include moving avatar 802to or near as many goals 816 as possible within a predetermined time(e.g., 5 second, 10 seconds, etc.). The finders keepers game may beinclude with multiple levels. Each level may be associated with a higherlevel of difficulty in the form of more goals and/or less time, and mayfurther be associated with more favorable promotion data parameters. Forexample, a first level may require the collection of three goals tounlock a first promotion. A second level may require the collection offour goals to unlock a second more valuable promotion, etc.

With reference to FIG. 9, consumer interface 900 may include a selectiongame with a representation of a selector object 902 (or “selector 902”).Selector 902 is another example of a virtual representation of an objectthat is responsive to motion data. For example, selector 902 may bemoved from left to right between selection option 904 and selectionoption 906 based on rotation of consumer device 908 along Y axis 910.The position of selector 902 may be determined by the sensing of arotational degree of freedom by a six-axis gyroscope accelerometerand/or a three axis gyroscope. Alternatively or additionally, selector902 may be moved from left to right between selection options 904 and906 based on directional movement along X axis 912. Here, the positionof selector 902 may be determined by the sensing of a directional degreeof freedom by a six-axis gyroscope accelerometer and/or a three axisaccelerometer. As such, selector 902 may be animated to move in a mannerthat would be intuitive to a user based the corresponding direction thatthe consumer device is tilted or moved, as indicated by the motion data.

Consumer interface 900 may further indicate the motion data objectiveassociated with the selection game. For example, a message indicatesthat the consumer should tilt the consumer device to select between adisplayed promotion at selection option 904 or a hidden (e.g., mystery)promotion 906. Here, the motion data objective may include movingselector 902 to one of the selection options 904 or 906. In someembodiments, the consumer interface may be further configured to receivea second consumer input or motion data input to confirm a selection of aselection option 904 or 906. The second input may be any suitable input,including touchscreen input, voice input, and/or a second motion datainput. For example, the consumer may tilt the consumer device to theright side two times to select and confirm selection of the mysterypromotion, or to the left side two times to select and confirm selectionof the displayed promotion.

In some embodiments, a selection game may include an element of chance.For example, selection of the mystery option may result in a promotionwith less favorable promotion data parameters (e.g., less valuable item,less favorable discount, etc.) or may result in loss of the opportunityfor promotion 1 (and/or other discount).

With reference to FIG. 10, consumer interface 1000 may include aquestion and answer game with a representation of a selector object 1002(or “selector 1002”). Selector 1002 is another example of a virtualrepresentation of an object that is responsive to motion data. In someembodiments and similar to selector 902 discussed above, selector 1002may be moved from left to right between selection option 1006 andselection option 1008 based on rotational and/or directional movement ofthe consumer device. Here, selection option 1006 represents a yes answerto question 1004 and selection option 1008 represents a no answer toquestion 1004. However, consumer interfaces 900, 1000, or the like, mayalso be used to provide for other types of questions, including multiplechoice questions with two or more associated selection options that maybe selected based on motion data.

In some embodiments, where question 1004 is a yes or no question,selector 1002 may be moved between the yes and no selection options 1006and 1008 based on intuitive horizontal (e.g., side to side head movementindicating “no”) or vertical (e.g., up and down head movement indicating“yes”) movement and/or rotation of the consumer device. For example, theconsumer device may be configured to utilize a three axis accelerometerto measure directional motion of consumer device 1010 along Y axis 1012,which may be associated with the yes selection option 1006, or along Xaxis 1014, which may be associated with the no selection option 1008.Alternatively or additionally, the consumer device may be configured toutilize a three axis gyroscope to measure rotational motion of consumerdevice 1010 along Y axis 1012, which may be associated with the noselection option 1008, or along Y axis 1014, which may be associatedwith the yes selection option 1008. In some embodiments, to provideflexibility between rotational and directional commands, the consumerdevice may be configured to utilize a six-axis gyroscope accelerometer,or a three access accelerometer in connection with a separate three axisgyroscope. As such, selector 1002 may be animated to move between the“yes” and “no” selection options in a manner that would be intuitive toa user based the corresponding direction that the consumer device istilted and/or moved, as indicated by the motion data.

Consumer interface 1000 may further indicate the motion data objectiveassociated with the question and answer game. For example, a messageindicates that the consumer can nod or shake the consumer device toprovide an answer to question 1004, and that providing an answer toquestion 1004 via the motion data completes the motion data objective.As such, the motion data objective may include moving selector 1002 toone of the selection options 1006 or 1008. In some embodiments, theconsumer interface may be further configured to receive a secondconsumer input or motion data input to confirm a selection of aselection option 1006 or 1008. The second input may be any suitableinput, including touchscreen input, voice input, and/or a second motiondata input.

Advantageously, via the selection game and/or a question and answergame, consumer selections may be used to determine consumer account databy discovering consumer preferences. Such preferences may then be usedfor relevance determination in matching promotions to consumers andproviding efficient electronic marketing communications. For example,information that is determined to be relevant to the consumer may beprocessed and sent via a network, while information that is not relevantmay not be sent. As such, the efficiency of the processing, memory,power, and network components of the system is increased, includingincreased throughput of relevant data per unit time and/or computingcost.

Furthermore, the selection game and/or a question and answer game can beconfigured to inform consumer decision with respect to location-basedactivity and local deal awareness by presenting promotions associatedwith local merchants and/or questions that are relevant to localmerchants and/or local merchant promotions.

With reference to FIG. 11, consumer interface 1100 may include ascavenger hunt game with a representation of a consumer device locationobject 1102 (or “location object 902”). Location object 1102 is anotherexample of a virtual representation of an object that is responsive tomotion data. For example, location object 1102 may be located within mapdisplay 1104 based on the location of the consumer device, and may bemoved within map display 1104 based on motion data indicating movementof the consumer device. The one or more servers 104 may be configured todetermine the location of the consumer data based on receiving locationdata via network 112. The location data may be determined based on anysuitable technique including cell-tower triangulation, globalpositioning systems (GPS), internet protocol (IP) address, communicationbeacons, WiFi access point identification, near field communication,etc. In some embodiments, the location data may be programmaticallydetermined based on motion data from a motion sensor. For example, theconsumer device may include a six-axis gyroscope accelerometer and/or athree axis accelerometer configured to generate motion data over timeand process the motion data to update a consumer device location. Insome embodiments, known location data (e.g., determined based ontriangulation, GPS, etc.) may be used to determine an initial locationwhile motion data may be used to determine subsequent location data.Advantageously, the consumer device does not require an activeconnection to the network 112 and/or the PM service 102 to update theconsumer interface 1100 based on motion data generated by the consumerdevice. In some embodiments, the motion data and/or determined locationdata based on the motion data may be stored on the consumer device, andtransferred to the PM service 102 when connectivity becomes available.As such, embodiments may provide technical solutions to theInternet-centric challenge of remote location tracking of mobile devicesthat may have limited or intermittent Internet connectivity (e.g., usingmobile broadband/location services) while traversing various locations(e.g., cell-tower dead spots, metallic buildings, basements, other areasof low connectivity). Accordingly, the position of location object 1102within map display 1104 may be updated based on the updated consumerdevice locations.

Consumer interface 1100 may further indicate the motion data objectiveassociated with the scavenger hunt game. For example, a message mayindicate that the consumer should find a goal, such as a particularobject, location, merchant shop, destination, landmark, etc. within acity or other geographical area. Here, the motion data objective mayinclude registering the consumer device location as being at or within agoal location, such as by the consumer carrying the consumer device tothe goal. In some embodiments, one or more goal locations may beindicated within consumer interface 1100, such as goal location 1106.The displayed goal location may assist the consumer in traveling to theactual associated location. In another example, a goal location may beindicated via a name, a clue, or other identifying data, but may not beshown within map display 1104 to provide a scavenger hunting challenge.The consumer may be provided a predetermined amount of time to reach aparticular location, or a series or group of locations.

In some embodiments, promotions associated with local merchants that arewithin a predetermined distance to the consumer device location may beintegrated within the scavenger hunt game. Furthermore, the consumerdevice locations may be tracked for relevance and consumer statusdeterminations.

At 614, the one or more servers 104 may be configured to receive motiondata from the consumer device via the network. In some embodiments, themotion data may be received from the consumer device while a consumerinterface (e.g., a consumer interface 700-1100) is provided or otherwiseexecuted on the consumer device. In some embodiments, the consumerdevice may be a thin client device configured to receive the consumerinterface via a consumer interface service provided by the one or moreservers 104 via the Internet. Here, the consumer device may performminimal processing, receive and display video data associated with theconsumer interface, and generate and provide the motion data (and/orlocation data) to the one or more servers 104. In another example, someor all of the functionality discussed herein for the one or more servers104 may be performed by processing circuitry of the consumer device. Forexample, the consumer device may generate the consumer interface andupdate the consumer interface based on motion data.

At 616, the consumer device may be configured to determine a motion datascore threshold for a motion data score. A “motion data score,” as usedherein, refers to an indication of an amount or level of completiontoward the motion data objective. In some embodiments, the motion dataobjective may be associated with a “motion data score threshold” thatmust be satisfied by the motion data score in order for the motion dataobjective to be successfully completed. As discussed above, a motiondata score threshold may vary depending on the nature of the motionobjective. In the example of the lever tilting game shown in FIG. 7, themotion data score threshold may define how close lever 702 must berelative to goal 716 in order for the motion data objective to besatisfied, and/or may define the no deal region 718 within which themotion data score threshold is not satisfied. In the example of thefinders keepers game shown in FIG. 8, the motion data score thresholdmay define how many goals 816 must be collected in order for the motiondata objective to be satisfied. In the example of a selection game or aquestion and answering game as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 respectively, themotion data score threshold may be defined as the requirement that theconsumer provide motion data to generate an answer to the question (ormultiple questions), where the motion data objective is satisfied whenan answer has been provided. In some embodiments, such as where themotion data objective is associated non-binary outcomes (e.g., collect apredetermined number of goals 816 within a predetermined time, bringlever 702 as close to goal 716, etc.), the determination of a motiondata score threshold may be omitted.

At 618, the one or more servers may be configured to determine a motiondata score based on the motion data received at 614. As discussed above,the motion data scores may define an amount or level of completion bythe motion data toward the motion data objective.

With reference to the lever tilting game of FIG. 7, a motion data scoremay be determined based on the distance of lever 702 to goal 716 whenthe predetermined amount of time for moving lever 702 has lapsed. Themotion data score may further reflect whether lever 702 has entered nodeal region 718, where the motion data may be assigned a low motion datascore indicating failure of the motion data objective. With reference tothe finders keepers game of FIG. 8, a motion data score may bedetermined based on the number of collected goals 816 when thepredetermined amount of time for moving avatar 802 has lapsed.Furthermore, additional criteria associated with the finders keepers mayalso be reflected by the motion data score, such as successful avoidanceof obstacles on surface 804. With reference the selection game andquestion and answer games of FIGS. 9 and 10 respectively, a motion datascore may be determined based on whether or not the consumer hasprovided a selection or answer, or multiple selections or answers (e.g.,a survey, three questions game, etc.). With reference to the scavengerhunt of FIG. 11, a motion data score may be determined based on thedistance of location object 1102 (e.g., and thus the consumer device) toa goal location, or multiple goal locations (e.g., find three itemswithin a predetermined amount of time, as soon as possible (e.g., beforeother players in multi-player embodiments)).

At 620, the one or more servers 104 may be configured to determinewhether the motion data score satisfies the motion data score threshold.As discussed above, when the motion data score satisfies the motion datascore threshold the motion data objective may be determined as beingsatisfied or completed. In some embodiments, a motion data scorethreshold is not used. Here, server 104 may otherwise determine that themotion data objective has been satisfied and/or completed by the motiondata received from the consumer device.

In response to determining that the motion data score fails to satisfythe motion data score threshold, method 600 may return to 612, where theone or more servers 104 may be configured to determine a (e.g., second)motion data objective. Here, the consumer interface may be provided withanother instance of the first game, or a different game. In anotherexample, the consumer device may be locked out from successfullycompleting the motion data objective subsequent to a failed attempt,such as permanently or for a period of time (e.g., play once a day, twotries a day, once a week, etc.). For example, where successfulcompletion of a motion data objective is associated with access to apromotion or reward, or a favorable promotion parameter (e.g., largerdiscount, upgraded item, name brand merchant, etc.), the opportunitiesfor successfully completing the motion data objective may be limited toavoid trivializing completion of the motion data objective. In anotherexample, the consumer interface may be configured to provide additionalopportunities or an unlimited number of opportunities until the motiondata objective has been satisfied to encourage consumer participation.

In response to determining that the motion data score satisfies themotion data score threshold, method 600 may proceed to 622, where theone or more servers 104 may be configured to determine one or morepromotion data parameters of a promotion based on the motion data score.In addition to the motion data score, the one or more motion dataparameters may be determined based on the consumer account dataassociated with the consumer device discussed above at 606. Some examplepromotion data parameters may include the underlying item (e.g., theproduct and/or service of the promotion), the accepted value (e.g., thecost paid by the consumer to purchase the promotion), and/or thepromotional value (e.g., the retail non-promotional price of theunderlying product or service).

In some embodiments, the item promotion parameter may be determinedbased on the motion data score and/or motion data. With respect to theselection game shown in FIG. 9, for example, motion data indicating thatthe consumer has selected promotion 1 including predefined promotiondata parameters may result in the selection of the promotion dataparameters associated with promotion 1. Alternatively, the selection ofthe mystery promotion may result in the determination of a differentitem.

With respect to the question and answer game shown in FIG. 10, forexample, motion data indicating consumer answers to the providedquestions may be used as electronic marketing data to determine consumerinterests, preferences, behaviors, etc. Such electronic marketing datamay be associated with the consumer account data, and may be used todetermine the underlying product and/or service based on relevance tothe consumer.

In some embodiments, the item promotion parameter may be determinedindependent of motion data. For example, the lever tilting game shown inFIG. 7 and the finders keepers game shown in FIG. 8 may be associatedwith a “deal of the day,” or the like, where successful completion ofthe associated motion data objectives results in access to thepredetermined item. In that sense, determination of one or morepromotion parameters of the promotion may be performed prior toreceiving any motion data, such as at 608 in connection with providingthe consumer interface to the consumer device. In some embodiments, aconsumer interface 700-1100, or the like, may further include animpression, electronic display, or other indication of the promotionand/or the promotion data parameters (e.g., as shown in FIG. 9).

In addition or alternative to the underlying item, the value of thediscount associated with the promotion may be determined based on themotion data score. For example, a greater discount in the form of alower accepted value and/or a higher promotional value may be determinedbased on the motion data scores satisfying the motion data scorethreshold. In another example, the level of the discount may bedetermined based on the amount or level of completion of a motion datascore threshold. For example, a higher level of completion may beassociated with a lower accepted value and/or a higher promotional valuefor the promotion. In some embodiments, the promotion parameters may bepredetermined and successful completion of the motion data objective mayresult in access to the promotion including the predetermined promotiondata parameters.

The one or more promotion parameters may further be determined based onconsumer account data. For example, the consumer account data mayaccessed from a consumer database, such as database 106 of the PMservice 102. As discussed above at 606, the consumer device may beassociated with a particular consumer account. Furthermore, electronicmarketing information received from consumer device and/or merchantdevices that indicate the consumers interests, location, preferences,group membership, age, gender, etc. may also be included or associatedwith the consumer account data. As such, the one or more servers 104 maybe configured to programmatically determine promotions and/or promotionparameters that are relevant to the consumer's interests, location,preferences, group membership, age, gender, etc. based on the consumeraccount data. In some embodiments, such as where promotion parametersare determined independent of motion data, the promotion parameters maybe determined based on relevance to consumer account data.

At 624, the one or more servers 104 may be configured to generate anelectronic marketing communication of the promotion. At 626, the one ormore servers 104 may be configured to provide the electronic marketingcommunication to the consumer device. The electronic marketingcommunication may include a display of the promotion and/or thepromotion parameters, and may be configured to be provided throughvarious communication channels such as email, mobile application, webbrowser application, text, etc. In some embodiments, the electronicmarketing communication may be provided to the consumer interface, suchas a results display subsequent to the completion of a game via adisplay shown in FIGS. 7-11. The electronic marketing communication mayfurther provide for the purchase or acceptance of the promotion, such asvia a buy button in the consumer interface.

In some embodiments, the one or more servers 104 may be configured toprovide for multi-player functionality. For example, consumer devicesand consumer accounts associated with different consumers may beconnected with each other via network 112. Here, a consumer interfacemay include representations of two or more objects, where each object isresponsive to motion data generated by a different consumer device viarespective consumer interfaces. A multi-player game may include acompetitive (e.g., highest motion data score) and/or cooperative element(e.g., aggregate motion data score), which further provide socialincentives to invite new users or return access of the electronicmarketing communications. The consumer interface may further provide forleaderboard point tracking, player rankings, etc. Furthermore, theconsumer interface may provide for the referrals of other consumers thatmay be associated with the consumer account data.

In some embodiments, the one or more servers may be configured toprovide motion data score tracking for consumer accounts. For example,consumers may be allowed to collect points over time to unlock special“surprise” deals, exclusive deals, or the like. Such deals may includepromotion data parameters that are more beneficial (e.g., higher qualityitem, higher discounts) than promotion deal parameters unassociated withunlocked deals. Method 600 may then proceed to 628 and end.

CONCLUSION

Many modifications and other embodiments will come to mind to oneskilled in the art to which these embodiments pertain having the benefitof the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and theassociated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that embodimentsand implementations are not to be limited to the specific exampleembodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

1.-23. (canceled)
 24. A system, comprising: one or more serversincluding: communication circuitry configured to connect with consumerdevices via a network, the consumer device including a motion sensorincluding one or more of: a six-axis gyroscope accelerometer; or a threeaxis gyroscope; and processing circuitry configured to: generate aconsumer interface, the consumer interface configured to display anobject at a start location of the consumer interface; provide theconsumer interface to the consumer device via the network; determine amotion data objective, wherein the motion data objective includes one ormore new locations of the consumer interface to which the object can bemoved to by generation of motion data, wherein a change in a location ofthe object being responsive to the motion data, and wherein each of theone or more new locations is indicative of particular information;receive the motion data from the consumer device via the network, themotion data generated by the motion sensor of the consumer device whilethe consumer interface is being displayed on the consumer device;determine new consumer account data based on an updated position of theobject relative to the one or more new locations of the motion dataobjective and existing consumer account data associated with theconsumer device, the updated position of the object provided, inreal-time, to the consumer interface; and provide an electronicmarketing communication to the consumer device via the network, whereinthe electronic marketing communication comprises a promotion selectedbased on the mew consumer account data.
 25. The system of claim 24,wherein the motion data indicates a rotational motion of the consumerdevice.
 26. The system of claim 24, wherein the object that isresponsive to the motion data generated by the motion sensor moveswithin the consumer interface based on the rotational motion of theconsumer device
 27. The system of claim 24, wherein the processingcircuitry is further configured to: provide, in real-time, visualfeedback to the consumer device, the visual feedback responsive to themotion data, the visual feedback provided via the consumer interface,the providing of the visual feedback causing the consumer interface todisplay the object in a second location, the second location beingdifferent than the start location, and a change in location being causedby the motion data.
 28. The system of claim 24, wherein the processingcircuitry is further configured to: determine a motion data score basedon the motion data, wherein the motion data score indicates a level ofcompletion of the motion data objective by the motion data, whereindetermination of the promotion is further based on the motion datascore.
 29. The system of claim 24, wherein the processing circuitry isfurther configured to: determine a motion data score threshold thatvaries based on the motion data objective, wherein the motion data scorethreshold represents a defined amount value, a defined selection value,or a quantitative proximity value.
 30. The system of claim 24, whereinthe processing circuitry is further configured to: receive a secondconsumer input or motion data input to confirm a selection of aselection option.
 31. A machine-implemented method comprising:generating, by processing circuitry of one or more servers configured toconnect with a consumer device via a network, a consumer interface, theconsumer interface configured to display an object at a start locationof the consumer interface; wherein the consumer device includes a motionsensor including one or more of: a six-axis gyroscope accelerometer; ora three axis gyroscope; and providing, by the processing circuitry andvia the network, the consumer interface to the consumer device;determining, by the processing circuitry, a motion data objective,wherein the motion data objective includes one or more new locations ofthe consumer interface to which the object can be moved to by generationof motion data, wherein a change in a location of the object beingresponsive to the motion data, and wherein each of the one or more newlocations is indicative of particular information; receiving the motiondata from the consumer device via the network, the motion data generatedby the motion sensor of the consumer device while the consumer interfaceis being displayed on the consumer device; determining new consumeraccount data based on an updated position of the object relative to theone or more new locations of the motion data objective and existingconsumer account data associated with the consumer device, the updatedposition of the object provided, in real-time, to the consumerinterface; and providing an electronic marketing communication to theconsumer device via the network, wherein the electronic marketingcommunication comprises a promotion selected based on the mew consumeraccount data.
 32. The machine-implemented method of claim 31, whereinthe motion data indicates a rotational motion of the consumer device.33. The machine-implemented method of claim 31, wherein the object thatis responsive to the motion data generated by the motion sensor moveswithin the consumer interface based on the rotational motion of theconsumer device
 34. The machine-implemented method of claim 31, furthercomprising: providing, in real-time, visual feedback to the consumerdevice, the visual feedback responsive to the motion data, the visualfeedback provided via the consumer interface, the providing of thevisual feedback causing the consumer interface to display the object ina second location, the second location being different than the startlocation, and a change in location being caused by the motion data. 35.The machine-implemented method of claim 31 further comprising:determining a motion data score based on the motion data, wherein themotion data score indicates a level of completion of the motion dataobjective by the motion data, wherein determination of the promotion isfurther based on the motion data score.
 36. The machine-implementedmethod of claim 31, further comprising: determining a motion data scorethreshold that varies based on the motion data objective, wherein themotion data score threshold represents a defined amount value, a definedselection value, or a quantitative proximity value.
 37. Themachine-implemented method of claim 31, further comprising: receiving asecond consumer input or motion data input to confirm a selection of aselection option.
 38. A consumer device, comprising: communicationcircuitry configured to connect with a central system via a network; amotion sensor configured to generate motion data indicating motion ofthe consumer device, wherein the motion sensor includes one or more of:a six-axis gyroscope accelerometer; or a three axis gyroscope; andprocessing circuitry configured to: generate a consumer interface, theconsumer interface configured to display an object at a start locationof the consumer interface; provide the consumer interface to theconsumer device via the network; determine a motion data objective,wherein the motion data objective includes one or more new locations ofthe consumer interface to which the object can be moved to by generationof motion data, wherein a change in a location of the object beingresponsive to the motion data, and wherein each of the one or more newlocations is indicative of particular information; receive the motiondata from the consumer device via the network, the motion data generatedby the motion sensor of the consumer device while the consumer interfaceis being displayed on the consumer device; determine new consumeraccount data based on an updated position of the object relative to theone or more new locations of the motion data objective and existingconsumer account data associated with the consumer device, the updatedposition of the object provided, in real-time, to the consumerinterface; and provide an electronic marketing communication to theconsumer device via the network, wherein the electronic marketingcommunication comprises a promotion selected based on the mew consumeraccount data.
 39. The consumer device of claim 38, wherein the motiondata indicates a rotational motion of the consumer device.
 40. Theconsumer device of claim 38, wherein the object that is responsive tothe motion data generated by the motion sensor moves within the consumerinterface based on the rotational motion of the consumer device
 41. Theconsumer device of claim 38, wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to: provide, in real-time, visual feedback to the consumerdevice, the visual feedback responsive to the motion data, the visualfeedback provided via the consumer interface, the providing of thevisual feedback causing the consumer interface to display the object ina second location, the second location being different than the startlocation, and a change in location being caused by the motion data. 42.The consumer device of claim 38, wherein the processing circuitry isfurther configured to: determine a motion data score based on the motiondata, wherein the motion data score indicates a level of completion ofthe motion data objective by the motion data, wherein determination ofthe promotion is further based on the motion data score.
 43. Theconsumer device of claim 38, wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to: determine a motion data score threshold that varies basedon the motion data objective, wherein the motion data score thresholdrepresents a defined amount value, a defined selection value, or aquantitative proximity value.
 44. The consumer device of claim 38,wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: receive asecond consumer input or motion data input to confirm a selection of aselection option.